Pope awards almost $1.5 million

RALEIGH, N.C. – During its fall grant cycle, the John William Pope Foundation in Raleigh awarded a total of $1,244,500 to local groups working to boost the lives and communities of residents in Wake and Vance counties.

One group of the local grants was aimed at alleviating poverty, improving health and addressing lack of housing.

Among those grantees are the Raleigh Rescue Mission, Alliance Medical Ministry and Habitat for Humanity.

Other grants to organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony, the Carolina Ballet and Performance Edge, are designed to boost the cultural communities in Wake and Vance counties.

The foundation also awarded $200,000 to Virginia Episcopal School in memory of John W. Pope Jr., and $50,000 to the Center of Ocala in Florida.